Project Description
3,520,000
Cubic feet added
16 ft.
Clear height added
100%
Area volume increase
Project Details
| Location: | Wyoming, MI |
| Roof Square Footage: | 220,000 |
| Clear Height Before: | 16 feet |
| Clear Height After: | 32 feet |
| Building Use Before: | manufacturing |
| Building Use After: | manufacturing |
| Owner: | Franklin Partners |
| General Contractor: | |
| Architect: |
Project Gallery
Project Description
In order to secure a major tenant in the property it acquired three years prior, Franklin Partners, an Illinois-based real estate company that owns, redevelops, and manages industrial properties, needed to modify the building to meet the new tenant’s requirements. Specifically, substantially increase the amount of usable space in the 220,000 square foot facility.
The necessary expansion of the building was achieved by raising the entire existing roof from 16’ to 32’. By lifting the roof, while intact and with minimal demolition, the building was effectively modernized to meet today’s distribution and warehousing standards.
The actual lift was accomplished in two phases: 105,000 square feet and 115,000 square feet. The lift and additional modifications to suit the tenant’s use were completed in approximately three months, a fraction of the time it would take to build a new facility or demolish and rebuild the roof of the existing facility.
“After our initial conversations with ROOFLIFTERS, we felt confident that we could market the building as if it were already at 32 feet,” said Don Shoemaker, managing partner of Franklin Partners. “Prior to roof lifting, this building was the definition of ‘functionally-obsolete’ — every year we considered tearing it down. This all changed with the roof lifting plan. We now have a long-term commitment from the new tenant and favorable incentives from the city.”
In less than a year, by marketing the property with a redefined clear height, Franklin Partners drew significantly more interest from potential tenants and, as a result, were able to negotiate a 12-year lease on the building. The process also had a significant positive impact on the building’s long-term market value.
Project Location
Additional Roof Lifting Projects
We at Polaris were very amazed at the efficiency and dedication exhibited by your employees. This dedication contributed greatly to a successful project completed ahead of schedule. Rooflifters personnel were always concerned not only for the safety of their own employees but also were very attentive to Polaris employees who were in the area while all the preparation for the lift was taking place.
When we’re working with an incumbent building, height restrictions can sometimes prevent us from utilizing the full capabilities of our equipment. Finally there’s a way to avoid the capital costs of reconstruction or a new building.
I was speaking with a real estate agent who was bemoaning the fact that he couldn’t sell an industrial building because of its low ceiling, …and one thing led to another.
One of the reasons companies are moving is they’re looking for modern buildings elsewhere, with greater height underneath the joists. If we can persuade a company to raise the roof to allow for more warehousing space, so they don’t need to relocate outside Toronto, then we’ve saved jobs and taxes.
If we were to turn that whole building into rubble and start fresh, it would cost a whole lot more money than it’s costing to just raise the roof and fix it up. We’re just lifting the roof and adding steel.